NZ, Hawaiian team shines in Outrigger Cup comp

A combined New Zealand and Hawaiian canoeing team has won the men's open competition in the gruelling 42 kilometre event in the Hamilton Island Outrigger Cup, raced in the Whitsundays off north Queensland.

Choppy conditions saw the lead change numerous times before the defending champions crossed the line to win the event.

Spokewoman Susan Boyd says the combined Team New Zealand and Hawiian team won the event in near record time.

"They took out the race in about three hours and 10 minutes, which is just shy of the record, and it was extremely close and fast racing," she said.

"In fact, the lead of the race changed at least 12 times and that just shows how tight and fast the racing was."